The AP is reporting that the legendary professional Basketball player Allen Iverson is set to announce his retirement from the N.B.A. Iverson , a former Most Valuable Player for the N.B.A. has been in the league since the 1996 season, in which he was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Iverson

He played with the Sixers for 10 years. During his tenure he was Rookie of the Year, League MVP, 2x All-Star MVP, and led the league in scoring for four years. After his rookie season, during which he led the 76ers in points, assists and minutes, Iverson was named the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year and was a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

The 10-time All-Star played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.

The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson last week after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time away from younger players they are trying to develop.

With no apparent interest from any other NBA teams, Allen Iverson is set to retire.

Iverson will always be credited for popularizing the streetball style move called the cross-over, and for his exciting tricky aggressive driving style of play.

He was never the tallest on the floor, just the most dangerous player that always wanted the ball.

Allen Iverson is a sho-in for the Hall of Fame, and I suspect that he can still run with the best of them, given a team that can design their plays to allow Iverson to shoot at will.

I personally enjoyed the years I got to watch him compete in the NBA, and I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.

Thanks for the 100 percent effort Allen Iverson…you were worth watching and you will be missed.

Read the full story here…

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPZfEWbAiIKgjsNDLhC1jiVSsJZAD9C78M580

Richard Ashworth

Feng Shui Diaries

Solar fortnight beginning:

Friday October 23^rd 2009 05.05 

 Up, up and away.

In the streets there is outrage, civil disobedience, gun plots: Lucie’s out of X Factor. I’m in a gift shop in Haslemere where a sign boasts how fast their carrier bags deteriorate. The indulgent lady behind the counter shares a joke with me.

“Do they give awards for how crap your bags are?” I ask.

She appears amused: another day another, smart arse.

The door of the neighbouring shop is too close. It occupies two units and the door is in the first. There’s actually a closed-up door in the second unit. This configuration is called “long exit, short entrance” which is a terrible waste of chi. The openings need swapping around. They’d see an increase in turnover pretty much immediately. I’d be happy to take a percentage of the increase but I pass by; enough gratuitous offence for one day. As I pass, I notice that in his mob hat, the young guy behind the deli counter in Waitrose looks like Wallace out of Wallace and Gromit.

The X-Factor reference of course suggests that despite the date in Chinese above, I am writing early in November. It’s true. I am trying desperately to catch up. When I write precisely as the chi changes I can say things that are up to the minute but writing a diary every fortnight can be a big demand and usually by this time of year, as you will have noticed, I’m way behind which means I have to either short change you and skip a couple of fortnights or leave them out of sync. Or catch up of course. Thanks to my friend Suzanne for pointing this out; she works for one of those banks that usually only notice when there are eight zeroes instead of nine.

I go to a Jimmy Webb gig with reluctant advertising mogul Bob who knows everything about rock ‘n’ roll. Jimmy Webb who wrote Galveston, Wichita Lineman (million sellers for Glen Campbell) and McArthur Park among many others, is one of the greatest writers of popular song of the last century but he doesn’t actually sing that well. His own recordings of his songs are charming in a croaky sort of way but as he says:

“We wouldn’t be here today without Glen Campbell”, whose son by the way is on drums.

The band consists additionally of four of his sons and a friend. They share the vocals around. The boys sing peerlessly and the harmonies are sublime. One son Jamie (James L Webb II, I guess) has a high tenor a bit like Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys. You remember God Only Knows? When Jamie sings the 3^rd verse of Highwayman (as immortalised by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson) there is spontaneous applause. His father beams.

After the show I talk with Jimmy:

“You must be very proud of your sons.”

“Oh yes,” he says.

“That Jamie sings like an angel,” I say. “I have children who perform. It’s sort of great when they can do what you do better than you can.”

I watch for ego as he receives this multi-level compliment. There is none.

“Jamie’s working on Without You, (the Harry Nilsson hit)” he tells me. His face darkens a tad. “Harry was a dear friend, When Jamie sings it, it’s like Harry’s there.”

“Some serious upper range called for.”

“Exactly,” he says. “A Badfinger song of course.”

“Yes Tom Evans and Pete Ham,” I say looking in his eyes. Bob is mouthing this credit behind me, I think.

My daughter Jessie, the film star, by the way does fabulous ba zi.

Home is where the harp is.

Home: the phone rings.

Moira is a psychic. Broadly she does mediumship by phone from her little bungalow in the Marches. She has called for an auspicious date to move house. I tell her the 8^th or the 29^th November*. I’m just glad we’ve sold it. The bungalow was a hard one: positioned in what the Chinese call the “hairwashing location,” most of the way up a steep slope. Everything falls away to the valley floor apart from rain which drops so plentifully here on the edge of the Black Mountains that everything is wet most of the time. Water butts overflow and the paths are forever slippery.   

* These are the correct dates. Use this information as you will. Take it as an apology for the misleading timing of these diaries.

The first work I did for Moira was to clear her house of stuck energies. Some people call these energies “spirits” or “ghosts.” Which is just a question of choice. I prefer to talk of “energy” or chi because that gives me more options. Once we’ve decided it’s your Gran or Napoleon Bonaparte, the options become limited.

There is always plenty of stuck energy around Moira of course. A fortnight after I cleared the bungalow, she rang to tell me that business had gone suddenly very slack. Her new house will be on the NW/SE orientation I recommended, away from sharp inclines.

“I’m glad,” I say.

“You’ll have to come and look at it when I’m settled,” she says.

“Of course.”

Tea Lights and Cheese.

Next day I visit Deb on the Derbyshire-Cheshire border, cheese country. I wonder idly how far Wensleydale is. We spend a hard day positioning the front door very precisely in the North West. It has been in the West for a century and I could write a book on how wrong that is for this house. Her husband Sam is respectfully sceptical. I like that. The only sensible approach to anything is the floating vote isn’t it? He wants evidence. So after suggesting they move a huge cattle trough in the vulnerable North East as soon as possible and ensuring they know where to put water to avoid a plague of boils I ask them to buy some tea lights.

We place one due South, one to the South East and one to the North West.

“Keep these alight all day and for at least three of the hours of darkness, until December 5^th*.” I tell them, “I’m expecting you to notice an increase in opportunities.”

“Do I need to be clear what I want?” he asks.

Good feng shui does not actually depend on whether you believe in it, agree with it or even know it’s going on. Watch this space.

“Not especially,” I say. “Just be sure to use the breaks as they arise. I can get the ball to the penalty spot but you need to kick it.”

As she drives me to Macclesfield Station, we talk about Deb’s Dad. Her ba zi shows that their relationship is kun/choi, which you might call “attack”. It’s certainly been turbulent; he may not be seeing his grandchildren this Christmas.

* This is real too. And discussion of the North East from anyone who knows a bit about the subject is very welcome.

 “It looks like you win,” I say.

“You’ve got me going,” she says, “Just like that.” Her eyes are full of tears but she looks only at the road. “Never seems that way to me.”

“Through the prism of the tao,” I say gently. “Everything is its opposite. Often when we simply change the pronouns, we see what might really be going on. My own father by the way, appeared to me to be a very difficult man. He was admirable in many ways but I seriously doubt I could do what I do if he were still alive. His sneer within me was too much. He thought I blamed him for all sorts of things. I didn’t. But I declared myself competent to charge grown-up money for feng shui the day he died.”

She is quiet but she is gripping the steering wheel very tight.

“So when I think he is attacking me, I see it as my attack on him?”

“Yes.”

More tears.

“Never seems that way.”

She is quiet again.

“Yes I can see that.”

I know how much courage that takes and although my book the Feng Shui Diaries comes with a health warning (Caution: this man may make you cry.) I never take this for granted. I see tears shared with me as a gift and a privilege.

“Just make sure that when the ball comes onto the penalty spot you kick it.”

It’s a long train ride home: by Virgin Pendolino, the grown up’s Vampire Ride, to Euston, then across town to Waterloo, a commuter train to Haslemere and a short drive.

The fact is that when Lucie Jones hit the word “stay” in My Funny Valentine, it was the single most powerful moment in the whole series of the X Factor. Watch it on youtube. Only someone with no feeling for music could miss that. After drilling all those hiccupping grace notes into legions of impressionable hopefuls, I guess those judges can no longer hear singing.

I refuel on my way home. On the pump they are advertising coffee.

“Grande latte for the price of a medium,” it says. I don’t even know what Moira charges.

 Richard will be teaching ba zi again in 2010 : four weekends starting February.

Stop Press : Book of Changes Day Saturday November 28th

It’s the oldest book in the world and it’s at the heart of every aspect of Chinese Culture: from cookery to kung fu, from Ken Hom to Yuen Hom. Richard will be hosting a day long introduction: Opening the Book of Changes. Learn how to consult the oldest oracle in the world and how to make sense of the answers. No knowledge of feng shui required. 

Join us by contacting Sheila at : admin@wingsagency.co.uk 

Richard Ashworth © 2009

Opening the Yi:

A day of introduction to The I Ching or Book of Changes

with Richard Ashworth

Saturday 28^th November 10am to 6pm

The Oldest Book in the World.

The Book of Changes or Yi Jing, is at least three thousand years old. Often referred to in the West as the I Ching, it is generally considered the oldest book in the world and is probably more central to Chinese Culture than a combination of Shakespeare and the Bible to ours: interesting attributes for what is essentially a book of divination.

What do we mean by divination? We mean perhaps something like finding answers to our deepest questions by some route other than logic. A similar approach is used in both feng shui and ba zi and no serious practitioner of these arts can safely remain ignorant of the Yi.

All traditional Chinese culture derives from the Book of Changes. Cookery, Martial Arts, Medicine, Calligraphy, Literature, Music. It is quite a statement but the fact is that there are no exceptions to this.

Answers to our deepest questions.

On the 28^th we will look at the history of the Yi and its origins in the attempts of the diviners of the Zhou Dynasty to give the Emperor an edge with advice that could be gained no other way. In those days what was needed were answers to questions like “Should we attack or tolerate our neighbours?” and “Can we rely on the river to flood on time?” Today we are more likely to ask what will happen if we quit our job or risk committing to a relationship but the Yi is still the best resource for the “What if?…” question. It is like having a wise and ancient best friend to consult.

An Introduction to Interpretation.

We will explore the various ways of consulting the Yi: coins or yarrow sticks? Mei Hua or Na Jia or some other method? How do we interpret? How do we know we’ve got it right? How can my interpretation be as good as Confucius’? How do I use the Yi in ba zi, in feng shui, in my daily life?

What do I get?

Participants will emerge with the skill to consult the Yi and at least the beginnings of how to interpret. No deep knowledge of Chinese culture is required but an enquiring spirit and an open mind is essential. 

Location: Castle Street Clinic,Castle Street,Guildford,Surrey.

Price: £150 or £100 to my students.

Information/Registration: fengshui@wingsagency.co.uk

or visit Richard’s website: www.imperialfengshui.info

 © 2009 Richard Ashworth

Trebuie sa recunosc, sunt extrem de fericita!!!

Mi-am luat chitara. In sfarsit, mi-am luat chitara Dupa ce am asteptat atatia ani, era si normal (merci mama & tata ). Acum nu imi mai ramane decat sa invat sa cant la ea. Piece of cake !

Am o tastatura noua (dupa ce vechea tastatura si-a dat sfarsitul obstesc ) ) si merge de minune.

La scoala totul bine . Apropo de scoala, maine e ziua unei prietene si colege speciale, asa ca:

La Multi Ani, Lavi ♥ !!! Sa ne cresti mare !

(  O poza cu Lavi si gemenele )

Muzica: Nu, nu o sa pun celebra melodie Happy  Birthday To You! . Am ales o melodie speciala, pentru ea ♥.

Taylor Swift – Crazier

Enjoy! Love you all!

Joana ♥

]]> http://basketballoutsider.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/men-down/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:27:33 +0000 Rafael Uehara http://basketballoutsider.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/men-down/

Rob Thorn, New Jersey Nets president, announced today, November the 7^th, that Point Guard Chris Douglas-Roberts has tested positive for swine flu. Thorn said the player has been treated and the Nets are following all precautionary measures called for by the NBA.

Douglas Roberts is just the last key player sidelined for the winless Nets. Before him, tNew Jersey already missed PG Devin Harris, PF Yi Jianlian and SG Courtney Lee. Harris is expected to miss from a week to 10 days with a strained right groin, Yi is out indefinitely with a sprained ligament in his right knee and Lee is out with a strained left groin, his return is unknown.

Without four of their key scorers, the question comes up: How is this team going to score enough points to win any games? As I write this post, the Nets are facing the Celtics and throughout the beginning of the 2^nd quarter, they are still fighting. Maybe luckily for them, after tonight their next games are only on Wednesday and Friday against the 76ers and the Magic, the former at home and the lather on the road, so maybe until there they are able to get at least Harris back.

Although the New York Post has reported that Thorn said Coach Lawrence Frank is safe and we all understand how banged up this team has been so far, all this losses are on the record. The same record which Frank, who is on the last year of his contract, will be judged in the end of the season.

This short stars sketch cast member Jeena Yi and Ella Martin. Remember what it was like to study? Remember how important it was to pick the right study buddy?

Great job, Jeena! I must have watched this at least 15 times.

Hoy, cine de mierda.

“Si La Cosa Funciona” (2009) por Woody Allen.

“Si La Cosa Funciona” es, sin duda alguna, la mejor película de Woody Allen en muchos años. Claro está, que lo mismo les sucede a las tres anteriores y también son unos truños de mucho cuidado.

Encontramos en SLCF los mismos diálogos ingeniosos, los mismos fogonazos de genio, los mismos personajes entrañablemente neuróticos, las mismas situaciones cotidianas con un brillo de magia. El gran problema es que los diálogos no son tan ingeniosos, los fogonazos son chispas aisladas en un mar de aburrimiento, ver a Larry David haciendo de Woody Allen choca menos que ver a Leo Di Caprio pero sigue siendo Larry David haciendo de Woody Allen y las situaciones ya empiezan a cansar.

Un brillo justito en el guión y unos recursos que ya han sido utilizados con anterioridad no evitan el bostezo, el hastío y el desinterés en el espectador. Lo verdaderamente preocupante del asunto, no obstante, es la obstinación en un positivismo sin sentido y la reciente obsesión (¡una más!) del director por las actrices jóvenes rubias y buenorras y las escenas de sexo en grupo. Tal vez esté tratando de enviarle un mensaje subliminal a Soon Yi, quién sabe.

Ahorren su tiempo, ahorren su dinero, ahorren su bando de ancha, ahorren su amor e inviértanlo en mi.

———————————————————————–

En otro orden de cosas, la Reina Zombie cumple años hoy, con lo que le rendimos debido homenaje. Long Life The Zombie Queen!.

Este fin de semana me he vuelto a enamorar. Una vez más. Y las que me quedan.

Número de familiares en el extranjero: 1. Tal vez te llame hoy…

Comme à chaque renouvellement de l’accrochage de la Maison européenne de la photo (site ici), je me précipite pour voir ce qu’il en est. Et chaque fois ou presque je suis déçu. Cette fois je ne me suis donc pas précipité et n’ai visité l’expo que le 3 octobre, quelques jours avant sa fin (le 11). En revanche, j’ai été de nouveau déçu.

Korner union (leur site ici), un micro collectif , montrait dans la petite salle qui suit le vestiaire quelques images unies par une approche “optique” de la photographie, comme des cadres en trapèzes montrant des rosaces ou encore une  demi-banane devenant entière par réflexion. Passons.

Pierre Keller exposait sa série horses, des culs de cheveaux, presque abstraits (il s’agit d’agrandissements de polaroïds) sur un niveau entier de la MEP. Dans cet ensemble, seul le texte d’introduction, une vraie perle de Jean-Louis Gouraud, méritait de l’attention.

Ara Guler (saison de la Turquie oblige) montrait des images de la Turquie situées dans les années 55-59 pour l’essentiel. Un écran LCD intelligemment disposé dans un angle (!) interdisait au public de le regarder et empêchait aussi de voir les photos à proximité.  On se demande qui a réfléchi à l’accrochage.

Le pompeusement dénommé “festival @rt Outsiders” montrait de l’art (?) contemporain et non de la photographie, dont la place est plus en galerie qu’à la MEP. Seul le travail de Yang Yi (uprooted) faisait exception et m’a permis de voir son travail que j’avais raté à la galerie Dix9. C’est un travail remarquable (remarqué notamment par Poivert ici) qui évoque les populations chassées de leurs villages à la suite de la construction du barrage des Trois Gorges en Chine. Mais pourquoi payer son entrée à la MEP s’il s’agit de voir des photos exposées gratuitement en galerie et que le galériste peut commenter ?

Bref, l’ensemble n’était pas terrible et je crains le pire avec le prochain accrochage qui sera consacré à Delpire, dont on nous a déjà rebattu les oreilles et les yeux à Arles cet été.

Microsoft’un yeni işletim sistemi Windows 7′nin sürüm adayı versiyonunu kullanmak istemeyen kullanıcılar için hazırlanmış ve Windows XP işletim sisteminde çalışan Seven Transformation Pack, sisteminizin özelliklerine bağlı olarak Windows 7′nin birçok masaüstü özelliğini bilgisayarınıza ücretsiz bir şekilde getiriyor.

Windows XP veya 2003 işletim sistemi kullanıyorsanız ve Windows 7′nin arayüzünü kullanmak istiyorsanız kurabileceğiniz bu masaüstü teması ile eski işletim sisteminiz yeni bir Windows 7 görünümüne sahip olabilir.

Sürekli olarak geliştirilen uygulama Windows 7′nin sahip olduğu birçok kullanıcı arayüzü özelliği bilgisayarına kurmak isteyen Windows XP kullanıcıları için güzel bir seçenek.

    * Boot/Başlangıç Ekranı
    * Açılış/Giriş Ekranı
    * Yeni msstyles dosyaları (Görsel tarzda)
    * Yeni masaüstü ve dosya ikonları
    * Yeni araç çubuğu ikonları
    * İşlem diyalog ekranı
    * Ses şeması
    * Sistem çubuğu ekranı
    * Yeni ekran kağıtları
    * Windows 7′nin popüler özellikleri
    * Ve çok daha fazlası

Seven Transformation Pack’i kurmadan önce XP işletim sisteminizin varsayılan ayarlarında olması uygulamanın sağlıklı ve sorunsuz çalışması için oldukça önemlidir. Varsayılanın dışındaki tema değişikliklerine sahip olan kullanıcılar sistemlerini varsayılan XP görünümüne getirip ardından Seven Transformation Pack’i kurmalıdır.

Önemli! Programı kurulumu bilgisayarınızın özelliklerine bağlı olarak uzun sürebilmektedir. Kurulum bittikten sonra bilgisayarınız otomatik olarak yeniden başlatılacaktır. Ardından XP işletim sisteminiz Windows 7 görünümünde açılacaktır. Yeniden başlatmanın ardından gelecek olan ilk açılışta Seven Transformation Pack uygulama penceresi açılacak ve sistem özelliklerinize bağlı olarak görsel ayarlarınızı değiştirebileceğiniz bölüm görüntülenecektir. Bu ekrandan tüm ayarlarınızı kişiselleştirebilir ve Windows 7′nin belirli bazı özelliklerini devre dışı bırakabilir veya aktif hale getirebilirsiniz.

Önemli! Programı kaldırmak için “Başlat” menünüzde bulunan Seven Transformation Pack uygulamasını çalıştırın ve ilk ekran görüntüsünde sarı ile belirlenmiş olan alandan programı kaldırma butonuna tıklayın. Sisteminizden program kaldırılacak ve sisteminiz baştan başlatılacaktır.

GUVENLIK KONTROLU
_________________________________________________ ___
Dosya Turu / File Extension : RAR
Dosya Boyutu / File Size    : 21 MB
Dosya Sifre / File Pass /   : Yok
Desteklenen Isletim Sistemi : Window Xp/2003/Server 2008/Vista/Windows 7
Antivirus Tarama /Anti Scan : Avira Antivir 9.0

Normal Setup
http://rapidshare.com/files/280771697/STP30_Setup_senarium.rar.rar

Katılımsız Kurulum
http://rapidshare.com/files/280766804/STP30_Katilimsiz_senarium.rar

Addons(Nlite Programlarına Eklemek İçin
http://rapidshare.com/files/280762287/SevenTranformationPack30_Senarium_Addons.7z

The New Jersey Nets is one of the most interesting franchises to pay attention for the hardcore fan of the NBA, not only for the prospects they have inside the court but also for ownership.

Bruce Ratner still calls the shots there however the story of the summer on the Meadowlands was the fact that now he is a minority owner and Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov bought the team. The real story is that Jay-Z is part owner there too which means that efforts for moving the team to Brooklyn will continue and the money of Prokhorov is just another asset for that to happen.

Inside the court, the Nets are just as interesting. Kiki Vandeweghe realized that Vince Carter wouldn’t be the one to the lead this team to success and traded his huge contract to the Orlando Magic for Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Batie, which now makes Devin Harris the leader of this very young and talented team.

Harris had a breakout season last year however we shouldn’t expect the same type of performance from him because now he’s a focus point for defenses. Devin most likely will be moving to the Shooting Guard spot, since Alton should be the starter there and although a combination of Harris and Lee on the backcourt would be very interesting, we all know the way Rafer reacts from coming off the bench. Besides those three, watch out for Chris Douglas Roberts getting more minutes out of the bullpen, he had good games for the Nets last year when the season was already over for them in which he showed enough talent to be an even more important part of the team for this upcoming season.

New Jersey also has very good prospects upfront. Brook Lopez had a good rookie season and showed early signs of becoming a force. Lopez is expected to be a dominant Center in the league and he’s clearly on his way to do it. Yi Jianlian went in the reverse way we expected. The 7 footer Chinese started the season really well but as the year went along, slowed down however Laurence Frank shouldn’t quit on Yi. He’s a big man that can shoot and nowadays there are not a lot of those.

Playing on the Eastern Conference where the way to the playoffs is certainly easier, the Nets do have good chances to succeed because after the Celtics, the Cavaliers and the Magic who are the front horses and the Bulls who also seem to be a step ahead, all the other teams improved a little bit but seem on the same level. New Jersey has a shot for one of those three, four wide open spots on the playoffs.

The New Jersey Nets certainly have a bright future ahead of them but if they want to do it as New Jersey, they have to do it quickly because the lockout is coming and after that, it’s safe to say that the franchise will have moved to Brooklyn already.

Check More At: MVN

Al Jazeera English – Focus – Assessing China at 60

I’m positioning for a sharp USD depreciation. I’ve taken off my latest Knotty trade from 14700 at 14595 today and will wait to add above 15000 — I will also add at 3x exposure and not 2x, as the normal rule stipulates.

I think October risks are mounting — both economic and geopolitical — and something just doesn’t feel right. Real unemployment is probably closer to 18%-20% and there isn’t much wiggle room for the government anymore. They must come clean, and soon. Any trigger, probably not very significant, can set the dominos tumbling.

I believe gold will spike higher at some point in the next 30 days — potentially the beginning of a steep path to 1200 — but I’m not quite sure if I am a buyer yet. I am still getting a feel for silver. From what I’m reading this is where I may want to concentrate any strategy I come up with. I’ll be taking a closer look at YI and YG december contracts this month to get a feel for their levels and daily movements.  

I’ll be buying dips in EURUSD to realign the earlier 14751 entry with the market. I may short USDJPY for 85xx. I also believe the SNB isn’t done defending against CHF appreciation, and have a EURCHF entry order at 15090 targeting 15190. (It’s getting close!) I believe I’ve missed my 1080 shorting opporunity in ES. If it retests, I may just stand aside and reassess. I’m staying away from CL for now. Just don’t feel comfortable, despite having watched it for more than a month.

I don’t think the world is coming to an end, but I do think we are in for more pain very soon. That doesn’t mean I’m buying scrap silver and hiding it in lockboxes under my kitchen floor. I may start a garden, however…maybe plant some tomatos and carrots and stuff. And maybe learn some animal husbandry so Hanna-girl has some sheep to herd.

And move to a place where it actually rains more than once or twice a year.

Pocket Pick

Free

6 – 8 p.m.

Y&I Clothing
1113 S Congress
Austin, Tx

Free cocktails from Dripping Springs Vodka and food from Mama Fu’s. The first 50 people inside will receive a goodie bag with gifts from Hollywood Fashion Tape, Austin Monthly Magazine, Voltivo, Gal Pal, The Strapper, Footpetals, Garment Guard and Y&I. There will be lots of other giveaways! Be there or be square.

Austin Tidbits

This is a crosspost from www.moonlightcha.com

Pushing Hands from tow.com

This was originally going to be called “moving” or “movement.” After a long period of sloth, continuing to play the tai chi chuan forms but lazily, not pushing myself, I have entered a new era of physical activity. It gets harder as one ages but easier, at the same time because the muscles are there, they just need to be reminded of their purpose.

Pushing Hands from Levande Stillhet

This morning I arrived at tai chi class and my teacher, Dr. Wang, was standing by himself. He lifted his right hand in invitation and we began to play at pushing hands. Very quickly, my legs started to burn and my shoulder ached. He is a doctor, and he sensed this and we changed sides. Then we began the two handed pushing hands and I was clumsy and somewhat confused, but good old memory came through again and soon we were playing pretty smoothly, considering my under-used muscles.

Taijijian--Tai Chi Sword from Dutch Championships 2007

Driving home in the mid-morning coolness, enjoying the late-summer blue skies, I almost glowed with happiness. It feels so good to move and with purpose, and to accomplish goals–we take the glory of our bodies for granted far too often.

Driving home today I passed a young woman. She was clad in comfortable but very nice clothing and she was walking on the sidewalk. The way she carried herself, her stride her posture, her Yi and its culmination told me she was comfortable with physical activity and with her body.

Shortly thereafter, several blocks behind, along came another woman. She was decked out in what I assume is the latest jogging gear, headband, iPod strapped to her bicep, and her shoulders were lifted and tense and her elbows were thrust out and up and her body parts did not work in unison. Each section of her body was singing its own song and it was not harmonious when played together. This woman was obviously not comfortable with her body.

So we have to have the intent and then we must follow through. Just thinking about that drink of water is not enough. Intent and then the appropriate action. Two sayings come to mind: Yi 意, Chi 氣, Li 力. Intent then Internal Energy then strength or power. It all starts with intent.
Dr. John Painter, my Grand Shifu–teacher–says “The mind commands, the body moves, qi (chi) flows.” This makes the most sense to me. Intent then movement and movement produces energy. Of course this means proper movement like the young woman walking.
When I began studying the Yijing (I Ching) many, many years ago, it spoke often of the “Superior Man.” For modern times I change that, and my favorite passage is “The Superior Person stakes the force of life on following the force of will.” Ha! I tried to follow this and was knocked on my ass so many times…I did not understand the most important part, “Superior.” This didn’t work if one was not superior meaning upstanding, honest, gentle, strong…following the four virtues–Honesty, Humility, Patience, Sincerity. So equate “proper” movement with the “superior” person.
This was going to be about the glory of movement, and it still is, but first we must have Yi. Then go forward with the four virtues and celebrate your body and movement. Taijiquan is sometimes called “The Dance of Life.” Regardless of how you move, make it a dance, relax and enjoy yourself.

Dr. Painter on Yi: http://seattlesilverdragon.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/yi-intention-a-key-to-chinese-internal-martial-arts/

Pushing Hands tow.com

This was originally going to be called “moving” or “movement.” After a long period of sloth, continuing to play the tai chi chuan forms but lazily, not pushing myself, I have entered a new era of physical activity. It gets harder as one ages but easier, at the same time because the muscles are there, they just need to be reminded of their purpose.

Pushing Hands from Levande Stillhet

Then into the class itself with the 42 Standard International Competition Form with shaking legs, I had to rest, often, and finally the 42 Standard International Competition Sword Form. Trying to stand on one leg with the other knee raised, pointing a sword, well I was pretty pathetic. But in the end I felt really good, more lively. I knew that more oxygen was entering my muscles and my qi was flowing better.

Driving home in the mid-morning coolness, enjoying the late-summer blue skies, I almost glowed with happiness. It feels so good to move and with purpose, and to accomplish goals–we take the glory of our bodies for granted far too often.

Taiji Jian Tai Chi Sword

功夫 Gongfu (Kungfu), to achieve, to acquire skill through hard work, what a splendid concept. So, I was moving again and it felt good. Then why Yi, intent? In Chinese martial arts Yi is a primary concept. Simply put, without intent nothing can be accomplished. If you want a drink of water, your intention to pick up a glass must come first before your hand reaches for it. Before we acquire skill at tai chi chuan, we must begin with intent. I have a friend who “intended” on taking this class, but he said he was afraid, it had been so long and now new students and a new teacher…he did not come today. Did he have Yi? Probably not.

Driving home today I passed a young woman. She was clad in comfortable but very nice clothing and she was walking on the sidewalk. The way she carried herself, her stride her posture, her Yi and its culmination told me she was comfortable with physical activity and with her body.

Shortly thereafter, several blocks behind, along came another woman. She was decked out in what I assume is the latest jogging gear, headband, iPod strapped to her bicep, and her shoulders were lifted and tense and her elbows were thrust out and up and her body parts did not work in unison. Each section of her body was singing its own song and it was not harmonious when played together. This woman was obviously not comfortable with her body.

So we have to have the intent and then we must follow through. Just thinking about that drink of water is not enough. Intent and then the appropriate action. Two sayings come to mind: Yi 意, Chi 氣, Li 力. Intent then Internal Energy then strength or power. It all starts with intent.
Dr. John Painter, my Grand Shifu–teacher–says “The mind commands, the body moves, qi (chi) flows.” This makes the most sense to me. Intent then movement and movement produces energy. Of course this means proper movement like the young woman walking.
When I began studying the Yijing (I Ching) many, many years ago, it spoke often of the “Superior Man.” For modern times I change that, and my favorite passage is “The Superior Person stakes the force of life on following the force of will.” Ha! I tried to follow this and was knocked on my ass so many times…I did not understand the most important part, “Superior.” This didn’t work if one was not superior meaning upstanding, honest, gentle, strong…following the four virtues–Honesty, Humility, Patience, Sincerity. So equate “proper” movement with the “superior” person.
This was going to be about the glory of movement, and it still is, but first we must have Yi. Then go forward with the four virtues and celebrate your body and movement. Taijiquan is sometimes called “The Dance of Life.” Regardless of how you move, make it a dance, relax and enjoy yourself.

Dr. Painter on Yi: http://seattlesilverdragon.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/yi-intention-a-key-to-chinese-internal-martial-arts/

I found out about this last saturday through a youtube video that Charlyne Yi posted on her youtube.

I was supposed to post the video link on this blog but apparently,Charlyne Yi deleted the video already

anyway, the video was live video of  Charlyne Yi playing her own composition that she made for the person she loved (michael cera) that just recently broke-up with her. She started by playing light chords then she stopped after about 5 seconds and said that the song she made had no lyrics because her love for that person is so strong that it couldn’t be expressed in words. If you see the video, it is really seen that she felt the song (she was humming a melody and her movements were really expressive).The song little by little got faster in tempo. It ended with the typical last 3 strums on her guitar. Then she said that she made that song, hoping that she could win him (michael cera) back.

Some part of me thought that it was super sweet but some part of me thought that Charlyne was probably too desperate. I loved them as a couple though since their pair was really one-of-a-kind. I don’t really know what reason Michael Cera had for breaking-up with Charlyne but he’s old and mature so he probably knows how to make good decisions already. Maybe he has other plans for his future or maybe there’s just no spark in their relationship anymore (which I highly doubt because they have been together a lot since both of them starred in the film paper heart)

I googled what Charlyne Yi said in the video and it led me to numerous articles about the unexpected break-up.

one of which is this article,

Michael Cera and Charlyne Yi Break-Up. Publicity Stunt or Just Devastating News?

” Michael Cera has dumped long-time girlfriend Charlyne Yi. At least that’s what a source tells Star Magazine now that Cera is “superfamous” he’s “itching to date other people.” Here’s how we cope.

This sad news comes in the middle of the young couple’s publicity tour for Paper Heart, the fake documentary about how their real-life (now real-dead) romance came to be. Or perhaps this is just some publicity stunt? Some kind of meta-advertising gimmick affirming Paper Heart’s notion that true love is hard to find and hold? In this era of put-ons and fakery (yeah, yeah, we know you may very well be reading this right next to a banner ad for Paper Heart — it’s not our call) who can trust anything? Certainly not dating gossip about America’s Twee-hearts from an outlet like Star.

Still, the Yi-Cera relationship gave the sweatpants community of geek girls hope that their precious wit and song writing skills were enough to keep a sensitive young man away the dopey taneroxic starlets of Hollywood. So doesn’t this news make you want to pout?

What’s even more pout-inducing is what else Star’s source told the tabloid:

“Charlyne is beyond sad. And the break-up is so much harder because she’ll have to see him on tour.”

Michael Cera, how could you? We know we gave you guff for being a mopey hipster but if we take it all back will you snuggle back up to Yi?

As a whip-smart commenter pointed out a love-affair with between Yi and Cera would have been like a “gummi bear getting it on with the Velveteen Rabbit.” We speculated that a boy with Cera’s sexual persona may in fact not have genitals, just a rainbow colored fleshy patch that sparkles when excited. If this is true, which is likely, then could Cera and Yi ever really have dated?

Whether put-on or physical impossibility, both theories leave room for a Cameron Crowe-style reconciliation. Young geeky outsider chooses to go after a popular beauty but discovers she is shallow and small minded thus forcing him to look in his own backyard. There he sees a girl with unwaxed eyebrows, in sweatpants, strumming a guitar and she embodies beauty in her own independent way. “

-By Natasha VC, 3:00 PM on Fri Jul 31 2009

it says that Michael Cera broke up with Charlyne Yi and that Charlyne is depressed because of the sudden break-up. But another article I read tells us the complete opposite of the article above.

Yesterday, fans of Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera uttered a collective “Noooooooo!” when Star magazine “reported” that Cera had dumped Yi after three years of dating because he wanted to sow his wild oats (maybe with a girl named Maeby?). There’s just one problem: According to Yi, who’s best known for her role as a stoner in ‘Knocked Up,’ she and Cera have never, ever dated.

That’s right — Moviefone caught up with Yi this morning — and, through bursts of laughter, she had this to say about Cera, who plays her fictional (repeat: fictional) boyfriend in the upcoming documentary-narrative hybrid ‘Paper Heart’: “We weren’t dating at the time [laughs] … or ever. I also heard that we broke up [laughs]. Someone sent me an article that said I was really sad. It says that I’m sad that we’re touring together. But he’s actually in Toronto right now filming a movie called ‘Scott Pilgrim.’ So that’s interesting [laughs].”

Perhaps we couldn’t hear the sound of Yi’s heart breaking over all her laughter, but she sure didn’t seem like someone pining for a lost love. While we can’t condone the gossip rag’s breakup story, we’ll give them a pass for thinking the two were an item in the first place. With Cera and Yi playing versions of themselves who fall in love in ‘Paper Heart,’ it’s easy to see how they got confused.

– By Tom DiChiara Jul 31st, 2009

SO WHICH OF THESE TWO ARTICLES ARE TELLING THE TRUTH??! It’s hard to find real credible sources on the internet XD anyway, I believe the first one haha. I wish the best for both of them

I hope Michael Cera could be mine nalang )))))

AVERTISSEMENT :

Mardi 2 juin 2009 , Yahoo nous informe que nos blogs 360° seront supprimés le 13 juillet !

J’y écrivais mon livre : Destination terre , en 3 livres :

Livre premier : Les dieux

Livre deuxième : Les peuples

Livre troisième : La terre

Le livre premier , les dieux , est paru sur Yahoo 360° du 18 octobre 2006 au 10 aout 2007

J’en étais au 2/3 du livre second : les peuples

J’ avais de 500 à 2000 visites par jour , ce qui me faisait un total au 12 juillet 2009 de 445 958 visites …

Ces derniers jours , je dépassais les 4000 visites par jour !

Quel dommage que ça s’arrête !

Yahoo nous propose de migrer sur un autre site , mais dont la qualité est d’une telle pauvreté , que 9 bloggeurs sur 10 , n’y migrent pas , ou alors seulement le temps de trouver un nouveau site plus agréable et accueillant …

Voilà pourquoi je suis ici …

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Mais aussi , j’y partageais avec vous , mes voyages …

J’ai donc repris ici , sous le blog des évasions de Fréderic , le cours de mes voyages …

Un peu de Bretagne , puis mon voyage de Galicie à l’Andalousie …

Et bientôt de nouveaux voyages …

**********************************************************************************

et maintenant une brève présentation de mon livre : DESTINATION TERRE

puis vous trouverez ensuite les tables des matières de mes blogs

**********************************************************************************

 DESTINATION TERRE

Fréderic VIDAL

Livre premier : les dieux

La terraformation de la terre par les dieux …

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Destination terre , c’est l’histoire , inconnue , d’avant l’histoire , connue …

C’est l’histoire des édenistes et des atlantes , et de leur colonisation de la terre …

C’est aussi des explications cohérentes à tous les mystères de la terre …

La bible , le Pop Wuh , la mythologie et les récits légendaires , etc …sont les sources de cette histoire …

L’île de Pâques , les pyramides , l’Atlantide , et bien d’autres mystères , nous apparaissent sous un jour nouveau

Bien des théories que l’on retrouve dans ce livre existent déjà , mais pour la première fois , elles sont regroupées en une suite et une histoire cohérente …

A vous de juger …

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En cours d’écriture :

Livre deuxième : Les peuples

L’exode des cosaques du Dniepr vers le Kouban

Tableau exposé au Kouban

Ce tableau illustre bien pour moi la colonisation , toujours très difficile , de notre terre, par les populations terriennes , toujours chassées vers un plus loin , ailleurs …

Des révélations encore plus explosives !

Oui , c’est possible …

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A suivre :

 Livre troisième : La terre

Là , ce sera l’apothéose …

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les articles suivants vous présentent les tables des matières de mes blogs

Je vous souhaite une agréable lecture

Fréderic VIDAL , FRANCE , Bourgogne et Bretagne

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COPYRIGHT : textes et images en copyright

Diffusion et traduction non commerciale libre , sous réserve de citations de la source et de l’auteur

TABLES DES MATIERES :

 Destination terre , livre premier : Les dieux

La terraformation de la terre par les dieux …

Livre premier : Les dieux

1^ère partie : Présentation

Chapitre 1 : Idéologie

Chapitre 2 : Historique

Chapitre 3 : Théorie

2^ème partie : Destination terre

Chapitre 1 : Pourquoi

Chapitre 2 : Les ovnis

Chapitre 3 : La ressource

Chapitre 4 : Carte d’Oriontus Finaeus

Chapitre 5 : Carte de Piri reis

Chapitre 6 : Les voyageurs

Chapitre 7 : Puzzle

3^ème partie : Les édenistes

Chapitre 1 : La terra formation

Chapitre 2 : Base lunaire

Chapitre 3 : Datations

Chapitre 4 : Du 1^er au 5^ème jour

Chapitre 5 : 6^ème jour

Chapitre 6 : Lilith

Chapitre 7 : 7^ème jour

Chapitre 8 : Eve et le serpent

Chapitre 9 : Lilith et le serpent

Chapitre 10 : D’Adam à Noé

Chapitre 11 : Le déluge

4^ème partie : Les asiates

Chapitre 1 : Les asiates

Chapitre 2 : Histoire de la Chine

Chapitre 3 : Avant le voyage

Chapitre 4 : Les 3 Augustes , Fu Xi

Chapitre 5 : Les 3 Augustes , Nü Wa

Chapitre 6 : Les 3 Augustes , Nü Wa , le déluge

Chapitre 7 : Les 3 Augustes , Nü Wa , le basculement de la terre

Chapitre 8 : Les 3 Augustes , Shennong

Chapitre 9 : Huangdi

Chapitre 10 : Zhuanxu

Chapitre 11 : Ku

Chapitre 12 : Yao

Chapitre 13 : Yao , 2 , go

Chapitre 14 : Yao , 3 , calendrier

Chapitre 15 : Yao , 4 , Yi

Chapitre 16 : Yao , 5 , Chang E

Chapitre 17 : Yao , 6 , Gun

Chapitre 18 : Shun

Chapitre 19 : Shun , 2 , Yu

Chapitre 20 : Shun , 3 , les voyages de Yu

Chapitre 21 : La dynastie Xia , Yu le grand

Chapitre 22 : La Chine antique

Chapitre 23 : Qin

Chapitre 24 : Les autodafés

5^ème partie : Les atlantes

Chapitre 1 : Les atlantes

Chapitre 2 : Le svastika

Chapitre 3 : Les menhirs atlantes

Chapitre 4 : L’île de Pâques

Chapitre 5 : Pop Wuh

Chapitre 6 : Les mayas

Chapitre 7 : Les menhirs du pacifique

Chapitre 8 : Les asura

Chapitre 9 : Sanchi

Chapitre 10 : Les deva

Chapitre 11 : Mahabharata

Chapitre 12 : Ramayana

Chapitre 13 : Les purana

Chapitre 14 : Les avatars de Vishnu

Chapitre 15 : Le royaume de Joséon

Chapitre 16 : Sumer

Chapitre 17 : Légendes sumériennes

Chapitre 18 : Nékhen et Pé

Chapitre 19 : Les dieux d’Egypte

Chapitre 20 : Les dynasties atlantes

Chapitre 21 : Les vanes et les ases

Chapitre 22 : Mythologie scandinave

Chapitre 23 : Les dieux scandinaves

Chapitre 24 : Légendes scandinaves

Chapitre 25 : Les mayas de l’est

Chapitre 26 : Les fuites du grand transporteur

Chapitre 27 : Atlantide … touché … coulé !

Chapitre 28 : Les kelts

Chapitre 29 : Atlantide

Chapitre 30 : Les datations

6^ème partie : Les dieux

Chapitre 1 : La guerre des étoiles , version édeniste

Chapitre 2 : La guerre des étoiles , version Napoléon II

Chapitre 3 : La guerre des étoiles , version Louis XIV

Chapitre 4 : La guerre des étoiles , version atlante

Chapitre 5 : Les traducteurs

Chapitre 6 : Xi Wang Mu

Chapitre 7 : Héra

Chapitre 8 : Puzzle en 4 D

Chapitre 9 : Les minoens

Chapitre 10 : Lilith

Chapitre 11 : L’Olympe

Chapitre 12 : Les légendes de l’Olympe

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En cours d’écriture :

Livre deuxième : Les peuples

Table des matières du livre deuxième dans l’article suivant

A suivre :

Livre troisième : La terre

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COPYRIGHT : textes et images en copyright

Diffusion et traduction non commerciale libre , sous réserve de citations de la source et de l’auteur

TABLE DES MATIERES :

 Destination terre , livre deuxième : Les peuples

L’exode des cosaques du Dniepr vers le Kouban … S’il existe encore , ce tableau qui a été peint par un cosaque lors de leur exode , est quelque part au Kouban … Ce tableau illustre bien pour moi la colonisation , toujours très difficile , de notre terre, par les populations terriennes , toujours chassées vers un plus loin , ailleurs …

Livre deuxième : Les peuples

1^ère partie : Les peuples édenistes

Chapitre 1 : La dissolution des dieux

Chapitre 2 : Les hopis

Chapitre 3 : Les légendes hopis

Chapitre 4 : Les aborigènes

Chapitre 5 : Les légendes aborigènes

Chapitre 6 : Arts et musique aborigènes

Chapitre 7 : Les dieux aborigènes

Chapitre 8 : Les dogons

Chapitre 9 : Culte et rites des dogons

Chapitre 10 : Mythologie et légendes dogons

Chapitre 11 : Cosmologie dogon

Chapitre 12 : La Nubie

Chapitre 13 : Les nubiens

Chapitre 14 : Les mégalithes de Sénégambie

Chapitre 15 : Le 5^ème AMM

Chapitre 16 : Preuves et commentaires

Chapitre 17 : Mycènes

Chapitre 18 : La route de l’or

Chapitre 19 : La route du cuivre

Chapitre 20 : L’or des hébreux

Chapitre 21 : Les cananéens

Chapitre 22 : Sodome et Gomorrhe

Chapitre 23 : La conquête de Canaan

Chapitre 24 : Les phéniciens

Chapitre 25 : Mythologie cananéenne et dieux phéniciens

Chapitre 26 : Baal

2^ème partie : les peuples atlantes

Chapitre 1 : L’Amérique

Chapitre 2 : Les olmèques

Chapitre 3 : Les mayas

Chapitre 4 : Les dieux américains

Chapitre 5 : Les mégalithes américains

Chapitre 6 : Le triangle des Bermudes

Chapitre 7 : Java

Chapitre 8 : Java , étape des mayas

Chapitre 9 : Culture et mythologie indonésienne

Chapitre 10 : Les Jômon

Chapitre 11 : Le Kojiki , première partie

Chapitre 12 : Le Kojiki , deuxième partie

Chapitre 13 : Le Japon du Kojiki

3^ème partie : les tokhariens

 Chapitre 1 : Les tokhariens

Chapitre 2 : Les tokhariens du Tibet

Chapitre 3 : Les tokhariens du Xinjang

Chapitre 4 : Le désert de Gobi

Chapitre 5 : La radioactivité du Gobi

Chapitre 6 : Les tokhariens de Mongolie

Chapitre 7 : Les tokhariens de Mandchourie

Chapitre 8 : Les tokhariens de la péninsule indochinoise

Chapitre 9 : Les tokhariens du Myanmar

Chapitre 10 : Les tokhariens du Thaïlande

Chapitre 11 : Les tokhariens du Laos

Chapitre 12 : Les tokhariens du Cambodge

Chapitre 13 : Légendes d’Angkor Vat

Chapitre 14 : Les tokhariens du Vietnam

Chapitre 15 : Les tokhariens de Malaisie

Chapitre 16 : Les tokhariens d’Indonésie

Chapitre 17 : Les tokhariens de l’océan indien

Chapitre 18 : Les tokhariens de Madagascar

Chapitre 19 : Les bantous

Chapitre 20 : Les Philippines

Chapitre 21 : Les tokhariens des Philippines

Chapitre 22 : Les tokhariens de Taïwan

Chapitre 23 : Les tokhariens de Hong Kong

Chapitre 24 : Les tokhariens de Micronésie

 Chapitre 25 : Les tokhariens de Hawaï

 Chapitre 26 : La Mélanésie

Chapitre 27 : Les tokhariens de Mélanésie

Chapitre 28 : Les maeroa

Chapitre 29 : La Polynésie

Chapitre 30 : A paraître

Chapitre 31 : A paraître

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A suivre :

Livre troisième : la terre

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COPYRIGHT : textes et images en copyright

Diffusion et traduction non commerciale libre , sous réserve de citations de la source et de l’auteur

I finished translating Mayonaka no Doa to english. Hopefully its easy to understand me XD Usually its hard to understand me when I’m singing in english for some reason.

I will give you the full english lyrics demo….Please ask first! ^_^

I open the door softly

and put on my shoes in the evening breeze
My heart pounds a little
Like adults, together with him don’t let this moment end

A secret that the moonlight shines on right now
The world I don’t know much.
Is there something waiting ahead of us?

So please tell me

Do not wonder where this road is taking us.

As long as we’re together I’m happy.

Let’s go!
lollipop, candy shop, mint drop, chocolate chip …
lollipop, candy shop, mint drop, chocolate chip …
lovely lonely baby girl, shiny skinny boogie boy
lovely lonely baby girl, shiny skinny boogie boy

I open the door I can’t hear the whispers of a new beginning for you and me

Where is the spell on back of that chest?

Midnight Sky I’ll let you into my heart

I just hope this spell won’t go away any time soon.

Tonight I’ll give you a shining sky just for you and me
Oh Please Oh Please Well That’s what I want to say

Shining Star Adorn me beautifully
So that he likes me more than ever Oh please
Even after midnight, I want to stay as Cinderella
Oh Please Oh Please Oh Cast a spell on me

Even the streets I always take is strange what’s not right?

Oh please Oh Please Oh Cast a spell on me

Remember in 2007 when I dubbed my very first fandub which was Mayonaka no Doa by Crystal Liu Yi Fie? Well I finally finished the full lyrics after 2 years! ^_^

I just noticed my voice and confidence got a boost after hearing a lot of people commenting! XD I guess it would be my first time sharing my lyrics once I upload the full version XD

An old friend sent me this inquiry: We (3of us) are going to Yunnan for the last week of August. We have things pretty well organised and plan to spend 3 days in Lijiang and 2 in ShangriLa. If you have any suggestions about wild and  exciting things to do, that would be great !

Here are my answers:

1. First of all, where are you staying?  That’s important because Lijiang has turned into a crazy tourist town that stays alive 24/7. The old town of Lijiang is most charming with those two-story woodden houses lining cobble stoned streets, but it’s really hard to find a quiet hotel room because the bars and cafes stay open till midnight. In this context,  I’d recommend either the Banyan Tree, which is charming, but expensive. Or some Chinese 4 star hotels like Guanfang, which is not that memorable, but at least you can sleep. In Zhongdian, you want to stay at the Songsam Hotel near the Songzanlin Monastery. It’s owned by a Tibetan entrepreneur. It’s better than the Ringa Banyan Tree.

2. Activities in Lijiang:  Lijiang old town used to be so lovely, but now, it is overrun by tourists during the day. Exploring the old town, I suggest you get up early and walk around in the maze, allowing yourself to get gloriously lost. Pick up some pancakes freshly made on a food stall, etc. That’s still quite lovely. The Black Dragon Pool, despite its popularity as a tourist site, it’s still lovely. Spend a good 2 hours in there, check out the dongba museum – not fancy, but gives you a little sense of what dongba culture is like. Xueke’s Naxi music used to be great, and I loved it many years ago. But, now the venue has doubled or tripled in size, it’s lost its intimacy. At WildChina, we used to just hire a small local band and do a dinner/concert in one of the village houses. After that, you probably want to get out of the old town as quickly as you can.

  a. Leave Tiger Leaping Gorge for a  stopover visit on your way to Zhongdian.

  b. For glacier, Maoniuping is slightly better. It’s probably quite fun to ride horse up, as compared to taking the tram. I would not recommend riding horse downhill. The horses don’t come with western saddles with all the padding and handle for you to grab. If you’ve never done horseback riding, don’t try it out there.

  c. If you like day hikes, try to go to Wenhai or Lashihai. Not tourist sites, but interesting villages.

  d. If you don’t mind 2-3 hour driving, go to Xuehua village, a tiny little village with 80 people, you can still meet the Yi Shaman there. (Yi is another ethnic group, different from Naxi in Lijiang.)

  e. Further afield, on the border with Dali, there are some wonderful places to visit: Jianchuan Grottoes – most stunning grottoes documenting the history of Dali Kingdom. Not touristy at all, but the hike and the grotto are just absolutely mind boggling. You can hike from the Grottoes to a nearby village called Shaxi – an intact old village, that used to be a key stop of the Southern Silk Road. Lovely old temple, old houses. Again, either without a tour guide, getting lost in it is a wonderful experience. (It’s not that big).  To go there, you need to drive 3 hours each way from Lijiang.

3. Activities in Zhongdian: Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National park will probably take up all your time. I’d recommend you try to visit a local Tibetan home in a village nearby. Anyone will do, just to see what their life is like. Remember to start slow, give yourself time to get used to the altitude when you just get there. Altitude sickness usually hits you after a nap or something like that, with in my case, a bursting headache. Drink lots of water to recover or go with Diamox from your doctor.

Have fun. for more information, check out www. wildchina.com

Le désert de Gobi …

DESTINATION TERRE

Livre deuxième : Les peuples

3 ème partie : Les tokhariens

Chapitre 4 : Le désert de Gobi

Les invasions des tokhariens

Bien installés maintenant au Xinjiang , les tokhariens continuent leurs invasions vers l’est , en territoire édeniste …

Mais ceux-ci ne sont pas d’accord pour abandonner leurs territoires fertiles et habités , à ces sauvages barbares d’atlantes …

Une série de guerres va en découler …

Et le théâtre des opérations en sera le Gobi …

Le désert de Gobi

Le désert de Gobi , du mongol gobi qui signifie désert ( prononcé gov ), est le plus grand désert d’Asie

De par ses conditions météorologiques exceptionnelles , on y trouve de nombreux squelettes de dinosaures , principalement à Burden Bulag et Argalant Ulaan

Son altitude moyenne de plus de 1000 m , provoque des étés caniculaires et des hivers glaciaux , soit un écart moyen de température de 90°C entre les deux saisons …

Dans le canyon de Yollin Am , on peut voir des blocs de glace au mois de juillet …

Il est composé de vastes plaines , d’imposantes chaînes de montagne et de dunes de sable

Il est habité par des nomades qui habitent dans des yourtes

Ils se déplaçaient en chameaux au gré des pâtures de leurs moutons et leurs chèvres

Aujourd’hui la motorisation et la sédentarisation gagnent du terrain ….

Les guerres du Gobi

Elles sont longuement narrées dans les légendes fondatrices de la Chine , de Huangdi et

Nü-Ba , édenistes , contre Chiyou , le démon céleste , entendez le barbare atlante …

Elles se sont terminées par les guerres de Yi , et sa victoire sur les 10 soleils …

Voir livre premier , 4 ème partie , chapitres 9 et 15 …

Ce furent ces guerres , nucléaires , qui transformèrent l’immense territoire fertile de près de 1 300 000 km2 en l’un des plus grand désert de la terre …

Les guerres d’invasion de la vallée du Gobi par les atlantes ont duré d’environ de – 2700

à – 2200

Chiyou
Huangdi , l’empereur céleste , avait aussi une capitale sur la terre, dans les monts Kunlun

Ses quatre visages lui permettait de regarder en même temps dans toutes les directions : il avait des radars performants …

Huangdi habitait dans sa demeure céleste ou dans ses palais occidentaux , mais il venait souvent sur terre

Vers – 2700 , le démon céleste Chiyou voulut envahir son territoire

Chiyou avait une tête humaine , quatre yeux , six bras et des sabots de bœuf et était d’une grande cruauté

Ses quatre vingt un frères et ses serviteurs étaient aussi cruels que lui

Chiyou s’était emparé des terres du sud grâce à son armée

Puis ils attaquèrent le nord

Sur leur passage , hommes , femmes , vieillards et enfants étaient massacrés sans pitié , le bétail pillé, les maisons et les récoltes détruites

Lorsque Huangdi se rendit compte de la situation , il décida de mettre fin à ces carnages et de tuer Chiyou …

Huangdi conduisit ses armées à l’attaque , avec ses généraux , et notament le général Zhao Ying , chargé de la garde du jardin de Huangdi

C’était un dieu céleste à visage humain , corps de cheval et peau de tigre , avec deux ailes sur son dos qui lui permettaient de voler comme un oiseau

Le général Li Zhu , chargé de la garde de l’arbre aux fruits de jade , avait trois têtes et un regard perçant qui ne laissait rien échapper

Il pouvait garder les yeux ouverts jour et nuit et personne ne pouvait l’approcher …

Il y avait aussi d’autres généraux , comme Chi Gou , Xiang Wang , Shen Tu , Yu Lei , ainsi que le fils de Huangdi , Miao Long , et son petit fils Shi Jun

Chacun détenait un pouvoir magique différent …

Pour lutter contre Chiyou et ses complices , Huangdi demanda encore l’aide d’un grand nombre d’ours , de lions et de tigres …

Chiyou n’était pas disposé à reculer

La plaine de Zhuolu était noyée dans la poussière et le ciel semblait devoir s’écrouler à tout moment …

A la suite d’une contre-attaque des armées de Huangdi , Chiyou fut obligés de reculer

Il brisa alors l’encerclement , ouvrit son énorme bouche en levant la tête , et cracha une brume épaisse …

En un clin d’œil , le brouillard couvrit toute la plaine , le ciel s’obscurcit et la terre plongea dans les ténèbres

Huangdi fit appeler son fonctionnaire Feng Bo qui contrôlait le vent céleste

Celui-ci ouvrit tout grand son sac de vent et la tempête souffla trois jours et trois nuits

Mais le pouvoir de Chiyou était très grand , le brouillard très épais , et le vent, aussi fort fût-il , ne put le disperser

Huangdi inventa alors un char capable d’indiquer à tout moment le chemin à suivre

Une figurine en bois s’y tenait debout et , quelle que soit la direction prise , le bras droit de la statue indiquait toujours le Sud

Grâce à ce char , les armées de Huangdi purent se diriger dans la brume épaisse et briser l’encerclement ennemi

Chiyou contre-attaqua les troupes de Huangdi en envoyant contre elles les démons de la forêt et des montagnes , Chi Mei et Wang Liang

Chi Mei était un démon à figure humaine et à corps d’animal et Wang Liang était un nain aux longues oreilles , avec des yeux rouges , de longs cheveux et une peau noire et rouge

Mais Huangdi connaissait leur faiblesse : Ils craignaient le cri du dragon

Alors Huangdi demanda à ses armées de souffler dans des trompes en imitant le cri du dragon et les démons n’osèrent pas s’approcher

Huangdi fabriqua alors un immense tambour avec la peau de la bête Kui qui vivait dans la mer orientale , là où se dressait le Mont Liupo

Kui ressemblait à un énorme boeuf sans corne à la peau brune

Il avançait en sautillant sur son unique patte

Quand il sortait de la mer , une bourrasque s’élevait et une pluie torrentielle s’abattait sur les flots

Son cri ressemblait au tonnerre et ses yeux brillants lançaient des éclairs

Avec la peau de Kui et les os du démon de la foudre , il fabriqua un énorme tambour et des baguettes

Quand on battait le tambour, la terre et les montagnes tremblaient

On pouvait l’entendre à cinq cents li à la ronde ( un li = 500 mètres )

On frappa le tambour , et la terre et les montagnes frémirent

Les troupes de Huangdi se jetèrent sur l’ennemi

Les troupes de Chiyou furent frappées de stupeur et n’osèrent plus avancer

Obligé d’aller de l’avant , Chiyou arma ses six mains de deux lances , deux arcs et deux épées , et ses deux pieds de lances

Il était si féroce que personne ne pouvait l’approcher

Après neuf assauts consécutifs , Huangdi n’était toujours pas arrivé à le vaincre

Il se décida alors à appeler Ying Long à la rescousse

Yin Long était un grand animal qui pouvait faire jaillir des trombes d’eau de sa bouche et renverser d’un seul coup de queue des milliers de soldats ennemis

Il se plaça devant les troupes de Chiyou , ouvrit toute grande sa bouche et lança sur elles des flots tumultueux

Mais Chiyou avait le pouvoir d’invoquer la pluie et le vent

Il monta au ciel et poussa un cri qui souleva un ouragan

Une pluie torrentielle s’abattit sur les armées de Huangdi

Son armée mpêtrée dans la boue , Huangdi dut faire appel à sa fille Nü Ba des monts Xikunzi

Nü Ba était la Déesse de la sécheresse et elle pouvait faire cesser cette pluie

Partout sur son passage , elle dégageait une chaleur brûlante , dispersait les nuages et arrêtait la pluie

En temps ordinaire , Huangdi la consignait dans les monts Xikunzi du Nord-Ouest et lui interdisait d’en sortir , mais cette fois-ci , elle put utiliser sans restriction son pouvoir magique

La chaleur de son corps brûla Chiyou et ses soldats

Paniqué , Chiyou recula et profitant de cette occasion , Huangdi avança à la vitesse de l’éclair et trancha la tête de Chiyou d’un seul coup

Le napalm de Nü Ba avait tout brûlé …

Les vallées fertiles sont devenues un désert aride …

Sans parler des effets néfastes sur la faune et la flore , des armements stupéfiants des 2 armées , pendant ces longs épisodes de guerre …

Et ce n’était pas fini …

Yi

Les atlantes ont alors sorti le grand jeu : les vaisseaux spatiaux surarmés en nucléaire …

La mère du soleil Xihe avait eu dix enfants qui habitaient à Tanggu , un grand lac situé dans les régions orientales

Les dix soleils passaient là leurs journées à se baigner et s’amuser , aussi l’eau du lac était-elle bouillante pendant les quatre saisons de l’année

Au centre du lac poussait le grand arbre Fusang , le “lieu où se lève le Soleil”

Cet arbre mesurait plusieurs milliers de mètres de haut , et mille personnes ne pouvaient l’embrasser

Sur ses dix énormes branches reposaient les dix soleils

Sur l’ordre de l’empereur céleste, chaque Soleil allait à son tour éclairer le monde

Vraiment, pour nos dix soleils , le monde était plus amusant que le lac Tanggu …

Mais ils ne pouvaient s’y rendre qu’une fois tous les dix jours

C’est insupportable de toujours rester ici , dit le premier soleil , et si à partir de demain nous allions jouer tous ensemble ?

- D’accord ! Répondirent en chœur les neuf autres soleils

Le lendemain , les dix soleils quittèrent le lac Tanggu au mépris des ordres de l’empereur céleste …

Lorsqu’un seul soleil apparaissait dans le ciel à l’aube , tout était normal

Mais lorsque ce jour-là , les dix soleils se levèrent simultanément , ils dégagèrent une chaleur torride : tous les cours d’eau furent asséchés , les champs brûlés se crevassèrent , les arbres et les céréales se desséchèrent et les hommes durent se réfugier dans des grottes , n’osant plus en sortir

Les dix Soleils continuèrent à s’amuser comme si de rien n’était

L’Empereur Yao , qui régnait à cette époque sur la Chine , habitait une chaumière et menait la vie simple et sobre du peuple

Ayant à cœur les intérêts de son peuple , il demanda aux soleils de se retirer immédiatement , au risque d’anéantir toutes les espèces vivantes sur terre , mais les soleils n’en eurent cure et continuèrent à s’amuser

L’Empereur Yao fut obligé d’intercéder pour son peuple auprès de l’empereur céleste

En apprenant que les dix soleils avaient transgressé ses ordres , l’empereur céleste se mit dans une colère noire

Il fit appeler Yi , l’archer céleste

- Les fils de Xihe ont trahi leur serment , lui dit-il

- Ils sont sortis tous ensemble, causant de graves sécheresses

- Voici un arc rouge et un carquois de dix flèches blanches

- Va et chatie-les comme il se doit !

Obtempérant à l’ordre de l’empereur céleste , Yi prit son arc et ses flèches et descendit immédiatement sur Terre

Les souffrances du peuple écrasé par la chaleur des soleils l’affligèrent beaucoup

Il leva la tête , défia du regard les dix soleils et sans dire un mot , saisit son arc et le banda

La flèche partit comme une étoile filante

Une violente déflagration se répercuta dans le ciel , le Soleil touché par la flèche de Yi , se changea en une boule de feu et tomba

Les autres prirent la fuite

Mais Yi visa le deuxième Soleil , puis le troisième , le quatrième , etc …

Ils tombèrent l’un après l’autre

A chaque fois qu’un soleil était touché , il en tombait un corbeau noir à 3 pattes

Au moment où il retirait la dixième flèche de son carquois , l’empereur Yao retint son bras :

- Arrête ! lui dit-il , tous les êtres vivants ne peuvent vivre ni se multiplier sans soleil

- Epargne le dernier

Yi acquiesça en silence

Après avoir fait disparaître les neuf soleils , la température redevint normale

Les hommes purent alors sortir de leurs abris , labourer la terre , moissonner , chasser , réparer et construire leurs maisons

Ils menaient à nouveau un vie paisible.

Sa mission accomplie , Yi s’apprêta à retourner au ciel

Mais, pleins de gratitude , les hommes le retinrent auprès d’eux et émirent l’espoir qu’il restât quelques jours de plus sur Terre

Les asiates après la défaite de Chiyou , avaient fait un traité de territorialité avec les atlantes : chacun devait rester chez soi

Les atlantes , comme d‘habitude n’ont pas respecté le traité …

Ils sont venus avec leurs vaisseaux aériens de combat , et ont fait des dégâts considérables avec leurs canons laser pour conquérir les territoires asiates

Ils savaient que l’armement qui pouvait les vaincre , était resté dans l’espace , dans les vaisseaux asiates

Ils ne s’attendaient pas à une communication aussi rapide entre les bases terrestres de Yao et les bases spatiales de Huangdi

Huangdi a donc envoyé Yi avec ses missiles pour détruire les vaisseaux atlantes …

Mais cette nouvelle guerre , nucléaire cette fois ci , a anéanti définitivement et pour des milliers d’années , les vallées fertiles du Gobi …

Les kelts au Gobi

Bien que très détaillées dans leurs descriptions , les guerres du Gobi , ne comportent pas d’allusions à des attaques nucléaires ou aériennes avant l’arrivée des 10 soleils et l’intervention de Yi …

Aussi , il y a de bonnes chances pour que les guerriers de la civilisation de Shu , aux emblèmes des kelts , voir livre premier 5 ème partie chapitre 28 , soient les renforts demandés et accordés par les kelts aux tokhariens , atlantes comme eux et adversaire des édenistes

Cela explique l’intervention tardive des moyens aériens , mais aussi la présence des symboles kelts au Xinjiang

Il est probable que cette alliance des kelts et des tokhariens au Gobi soit un échange de moyens et de troupes pour étoffer l’armée kelte en guerre contre Atlantide …

Les légendes de l’île blanche du Gobi

Les mélanides habitants du Gobi , possédaient de grandes connaissances techniques et notamment le système métrique

Ces connaissances leur auraient été révélées par des hommes venus du ciel en vaisseau spatial …

Ils seraient arrivés dans l’île blanche de la mer de Gobi

Ce serait le mont Atis enneigé , à 600 km au nord-est du Lob-Nor , dans le Djasactou-khan

De cette région , aujourd’hui désertique , émigrèrent jadis des peuples en possession d’une science révolutionnaire

Les dropas

En 1938 , l’archéologue chinois Tschi Pu Tei découvrit , dans des grottes de Baian Kara Ula , à la frontière de la Chine et du Tibet , des chambres funéraires dans lesquelles il y des petits squelettes avec un crâne très développé

Sur les parois de ces grottes , il vit des peintures représentant des êtres coiffés de casques ronds

On y voyait aussi les étoiles , le soleil et la lune

716 assiettes ou disques en granit de 2 cm d’épaisseur y ont été trouvés

Les disques sont percés au centre avec une double rainure qui rejoint le bord en décrivant une spirale

Les archéologues chinois pensaient qu’autrefois dans cette région avaient vécu les tribus des dropas et des khams

Selon les anthropologues , ces tribus étaient ne mesuraient en moyenne que 1,30 m

En 1962 , le Pr Tsum Um Nui , de l’Académie de préhistoire de Pékin , put déchiffrer une partie des inscriptions contenues dans les rainures :
Les inscriptions sur les assiettes de pierre nous font remonter de 12000 ans en arrière et leurs auteurs nous apprennent qu’une partie de leur peuple fut jeté sur la troisième planète de notre système

Mais ses engins de vols – c’est une traduction fidèle des hiéroglyphes – ne furent plus assez puissants pour repartir de ce monde

Les naufragés auraient été anéantis dans les montagnes reculées et difficilement accessibles Ils n’auraient pas eu le moyen et les possibilités de construire de nouveaux engins aériens
Les créatures jetées sur la Terre racontent également qu’elles ont essayé de s’entendre avec les habitants des montagnes mais que ceux-ci les ont pourchassés et massacrés

La conclusion du récit est presque textuellement :

Les femmes , les enfants , les hommes se cachèrent dans les grottes jusqu’au lever du soleil

Puis ils crurent au signal et virent que cette fois les autres étaient venus avec des intentions pacifiques

Le canular des dropas
Tout porte à croire que cette jolie histoire des dropas ne soit qu’un canular :

Absence de rapports officiels des soi-disantes missions …

Impossibilité de tracer une vie officielle des professeurs Tschi Pu Tei et Tsum Um Nui …

Impossibilité de voir ou toucher un des fameux disques , dont il y en avait tout de même 716 exemplaires …

En fait la plupart des auteurs qui ont véhiculé cette histoire , ont avoué l’avoir fait sans en vérifier l’authenticité et en plus l’ont embellie de leurs commentaires …

Les 4 dernières illustrations de ce chapitre , sont celles de ceux qui font circuler ce canular …

J’ai tenu toutefois à vous en parler , pour qu’il ne soit pas dit que je néglige une piste quelconque dans mes recherches